'Screaming knife boy' shot dead by Australian police

POLICE in Melbourne shot dead a 15-year-old boy in a skate park after he allegedly threatened them with knives.

Police said Tyler Cassidy continued to approach them even after they fired warning shots and pepper spray. Several officers shot at him, hitting him in the chest. He died at the scene.

The Victoria state police union renewed its calls to arm officers with Taser stun guns.

Police were called to the park in Northcote after several people reported seeing a young man behaving erratically, said Victoria state assistant police commissioner Tim Cartwright.

The boy had stolen knives from a department store earlier in the day, Mr Cartwright said.

"He was irrational. He was yelling and screaming and, as far as we can tell, armed with two knives."

The situation was a tragedy, but police acted appropriately, Mr Cartwright said.

Homicide detectives will investigate the shooting on behalf of the state coroner.

Police Association secretary senior sergeant Greg Davies said: "Using a Taser would have meant he wouldn't have had to be shot. He would have been temporarily disabled and handcuffed."